"The author's
story-telling ability and strong advocacy skills help the reader enter
the world of the toddler."--Rebecca Janke, The Public School Montessorian
"Great for Parents
and Montessorians.
"This book is easy
to read. The author is Montessori trained and provides 125 activities that
you can do in your home or classroom. Even if you only implement half of
her advice you will really be supporting your child in a practical way
and you will love the results."--Kristen Jawad (Amazon.com
customer review.)
"Being a new mom of a toddler
I really needed help with activities for my son. This book is great. The
information and charts are a great way to keep take of my son's development.
A must for new moms." (Amazon.com customer review.)
"This is one of the best books that I have
found for infants and toddlers. I really like the way that they not only
break down the ages but also the developmental areas. The book makes it
very easy to make lesson plans but it also makes it easy to pick out activties
to do with your young child. These authors have done a wonderful job with
this book and also the Creavtive Resources book for 3-5 year olds. I had
the 3-5 year version along with others resource books that were made available
to my teachers in a child care setting to use for making lesson plans and
Creative Resources was the one that was used most often." (Amazon.com customer
review.)
Education for
a New World (The Clio Montessori Series) by Maria Montessori
"The psychic life in the new-born
has already aroused great interest. The conclusion of research is that
the
first two years of life are the most important. So here begins a new
path, wherein it will not be the professor [the teacher] who teaches the
child but the child who teaches the professor [the teacher]."--Nienhuis
Books & Publications
"At less than 100 pages, this book is easy
to take in, while still containing fundamental principles of Montessori's
theory of education, especially as relevant to 3- to 6-year-olds. The writing
is engaging, not academic. I can easily recommend it to be the first or
only book by Dr. Montessori for the parent of a toddler to read."--Reviewer:
Brad S. Williams (Portland, OR USA)
More...
(You
can always change your mind!) Publisher: Theosophical
Publishing House; (June 1974); hardcover edition buy
used
"I love
this book. I checked book after book of toddler crafts and toddler play
out of the library, but most of them made me think, "hmm, anyone could
have thought of that." This is not one of those books.
"I know this sounds
ridiculous, but this book is helping me be a better parent. There is nothing
like the total absorption of an art project to help me be fully present
with my daughter. Other times I might physically be with her, but my mind
is at least partly elsewhere, thinking adult thoughts, worrying mostly,
I suppose, but while doing these art projects, I truly am with her in the
moment, and smiling and laughing more than I have in ages." (Amazon.com
customer review.)
Montessori
from the Start: The Child at Home from Birth to Age Three by Paula Polk Lillard (Author of Montessori
Today, Montessori in the Classroom, and Montessori: A Modern Approach)
From the Back Cover
“A major and timely contribution to the
early childhood years—anecdotal, rich in insight and experience, practical
and useful. This informed, careful, and intelligent response to the unfolding
of personality will peak parents’ interest as they learn how to establish
healthy, enjoyable, and sustaining relationships with their children. A
must for parents-to-be, nannies, and care-givers.” —Virginia McHugh Goodwin,
Executive Director, Association Montessori International, U.S.A.
About the Author
"Paula Polk Lillard and her daughter,
Lynn Lillard Jessen, co-founded the Forest Bluff School in Lake Bluff,
Illinois, a Montessori school for children through the eighth grade. Paula
is the principal of the school, and she and Lynn teach the parent child
course, a workshop for parents on the Montessori approach for children
from birth to age three. They live in Lake Forest, Illinois." More...
(You can always change your mind!)
Montessori Play
& Learn: A Parents' Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six by Lesley Britton "Most popular!"
"Parents often wonder what activities
they can do with their children to help them learn, this book is crammed
with great ideas! The activities are mostly simple to set-up, they are
fun for the kids and help kids learn a variety of skills. Every parent
of an under-five should own this book. " (Amazon.com customer review.)
"Montessori Play and Learn is packed with
ideas, activities, and games that can fit into your normal routine and
help supplement preschool learning for your child.... this book provides
valuable tips and insights that help parents and children grow and learn
together.
-- Learn dozens of games and activities
to help prepare children for mathematics, reading, science, and writing
-- Make your home environment as stimulating
for your child as the best Montessori preschool..." (Amazon.com, editorial
review.) More...
(You can always change your mind!)
Reclaiming Childhood:
Letting Children Be Children in Our Achievement-Oriented Society by William Crain
From Booklist
"Crain, a developmental psychologist,
laments the ceaseless schedule of activities for most American children
that leaves them little time and energy for the typical childhood pursuits
of a less restless and ambitious age. Crain worries that by focusing so
much on preparing children for a competitive future, we are stunting their
growth and neglecting their here-and-now needs and desires. He specifically
examines current trends, from emphasis on standardized tests to the birth-to-three
early-development movement, and contrasts them with the child-centered
philosophies of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Dewey, MariaMontessori,
Jean Piaget, and David Elkind. He advocates a more natural learning rhythm
and an environment that takes advantage of children's own natural curiosity,
with adults providing an "unobtrusive presence." Crain offers advice, based
on research and interviews with parents and children, on how parents and
educators can provide a more child-centered model for education that takes
cues from the children themselves and respects their efforts to learn on
their own. A thoughtful and valuable resource for parents and teachers
looking for alternative approaches to education."-- Vanessa Bush
"[This book...] made me recall the year
I spent conducting research in preschool classrooms. I visited many wonderful
preschools, but I remember being particularly struck by the atmosphere
in the Montessori classroom I visited. There was a sense of calm there
that I have never seen anywhere else. At first it seemed eerie; surely
these kids were being coerced into behaving so quietly and going about
their business in such an orderly graceful way. I remember in particular
the child who was bringing around a tray of nuts that he had shelled and
offering them graciously to the other children. But the longer I stayed,
the more I realized that this deep sense of peacefulness originated from
the kids' satisfaction in being allowed to choose their own tasks at their
own pace."(Amazon.com customer review.) More...
"While playing, doodling, and
just being a kid, your children can also be practicing muscle control,
concentration, orderliness, and other basics that will help them later
on. Barbara's insights will inspire you. And her time - saving techniques
will convince you that even marathon moms have time to make the most of
their toddler's natural energy and potential for success."--Forward by
Dr. William Sears
"This is a book I've turned to over and
over again, to help me regain my perspective on my two children (born 14
months apart), or to glean some comfort, inspiration, advice, or encouragement.
I've loaned it out more than 10 times, and have given it as a gift at countless
baby showers. I've never met a person who writes so compassionately, affectionately
and respectfully to parents and about toddlers, and her insights cast the
Terrible Two's in an entirely different light. I don't consider myself
deeply religious, but Mrs. Curtis' tone was not the least bit offensive,
and she radiates love and common-sense wisdom." (Amazon.com customer review.)
"This is an extrememly concise,
but informative and entertaining video about how crucial it is that early
on children get interaction with adults that can aid their brain development."--Amazon.com
reviewer
"Truly amazing information. Forget all
the fancy toys and games for our babies and children. Let's give them what
they really need. This DVD explains child development in easy to understand
terms."--Amazon.com reviewer
"This book contains 365 activities
(one for each day of the year) for one-and-a-half to three-year-olds using
things found around the home. It shows parents and day-care providers how
to:
"Prevent boredom during the longest stretches
of indoor weather with ideas for indoor play, kitchen activities, and arts
and crafts projects.
Stimulate a child's natural curiosity
with entertaining math, language, and motor-skills activities. Encourage
a child's physical, mental, and emotional growth with ideas for fun music,
food, water, and outdoor activities. Keep toddlers occupied during long
car trips or cross-town errands.
"The Toddler's Busy Book is written with
warmth and sprinkled with humor and insight. It should be required reading
for anyone raising or teaching toddlers."--Product Description
